From the Desk of the Regional Director - Misyon Online

NO 5 EASTER SEASON 2010
From the Desk of the Regional Director
friends ran away.
By Fr Patrick O’Donoghue www.columbanmission.net
As I write this, we have just entered into the joyful season of Easter a time when the Church is
called to enter into the ‘joy of the Risen Lord’ in a very special way for fifty days. During Holy Week
we entered into Jesus’ pain and terrible suffering not just his physical pain (which in itself is horrific)
but also the pain in his heart as he was betrayed, abandoned and left more or less alone before his
enemies. It is not an easy place to be to watch as the ‘Innocent One’ becomes totally vulnerable before
the power of evil. The injustice and the powerlessness we see are truly terrifying, if we are willing
to open ourselves to it. Jesus’ own cry on the Cross ‘Why?’ reaches deep into our own insecurities
and uncertainties. Is God really to be trusted? Or is God powerless before evil? Should we defend
ourselves or continue to trust in the God of Goodness? It is not surprising that so many of his closest
The Father’s incredible answer is, of course, the Resurrection of Jesus. It is God’s mysterious response to evil, which will
never have the last word, no matter how powerful it may seem to be. Jesus’ anguished ‘Why?’ is not a lack of trust; it is a heartfelt
expression of all of our ‘not understanding’ the seeming absence of God in the midst of so much evil, corruption and injustice. Despite
‘not understanding’, Jesus trusted to the end. And it is this act of total trusting surrender to the ‘Father’s Way’ that saves us. We are
saved and given new life as we are held by God’s Spirit in Jesus and in his trust and surrender to the Father.
Jesus did not judge or condemn his disciples and friends for their fear and cowardice. He understood their fears and he understands
ours. He understands because he has experienced all of this to its deepest depths. No, Jesus does not condemn. On the contrary he
calls us to rejoice with him. He invites us to enter into his joy of resurrection. It’s like he is saying to us: ‘Look what God has done
for me! But not just for me but also for you! My Resurrection shows you what God intends for you, for the world, for all creation.’
Jesus in his resurrection has experienced the utter goodness of God, his Father’s absolute trustworthiness and total commitment to
true life for all his children. He ‘sees’ this goodness of his ‘Abba’ and he wants us to share in the joy, the gratitude and the hope that
it brings. Evil may seem to triumph, but God is more powerful yet, and God does act in mysterious ways to continue to bring new
life into situations of darkness and death.
Easter is a time of joy, but also very much of hope. God loves us totally and God is with us, especially when it seems the very
opposite. Missionaries are called to live and proclaim this hope. May we all be ‘missionary’ in this sense. Let us be people of hope
and live that hope for others to see and rejoice.
My Good Friend’s Ordination
By Kurt Pala
Kurt is a Columban seminarian, studying theology. He is a ‘balikbayan’
in that he left after college and reapplied after working for some years.
On 7 December Andrei Olpindo Paz was ordained to the priesthood
at St Christopher Parish Church, Bangar, La Union. I have known him
since our days in the now phased out college formation program in Cebu.
I cannot believe how time moves so fast. When I spoke with him again,
after a long, long time, we were just counting the days to his ordination.
I could sense that something had changed in him, something good. And
yet I could not imagine what it must feel like waiting for and thinking
see ORDINATION, page 3
COLUMBAN MISSION Easter Season 2010 1

The Joys and Frustrations
of a Vocation Director
by Fr Rolly Aniscal
When I came back to the Philippines in 2006 from Peru,
I was privileged to be the vocation director of the Society
for the Visayas and Mindanao, specifically Negros Oriental,
Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu and northern Mindanao, based in
Cagayan de Oro. Fr Jude Genovia was tasked to take care of
Luzon, Panay and Negros Occidental, based in Manila.
Three candidates, from Sagay City, Negros Occidental,
Ozamiz City and Unisan, Quezon, have been accepted to
enter the Columban seminary in June. We accept only young
professionals.
Fr Rolly (right)
Fr Rolly Aniscal shares some of his joys and frustrations
as a vocation director based in Cagayan de Oro. On 1
June he and Fr Jude Genovia will switch places as they
continue in their work for two more years.
The biggest challenge for me as a vocation director is
when I travel to schools and parishes - and nothing happens.
I feel sick. Sometimes we schedule a recollection and nobody
comes. It is frustrating. We have no control of the young
people. If they do come, it is by God’s grace. If they don’t,
maybe they’re not meant to come. Sometimes they are very
excited to join then after follow-ups we lose touch with them
because they have changed their cell phone numbers or simply
are no longer interested. We have campaigned in schools
where nobody has accepted our invitation. They instead go
see VOCATION DIRECTOR, page 6
Lay Mission Garage Sale
By Rowena ‘Weng’ Cuanico
Weng is the current coordinator
of Columban Lay Missionaries
in the Philippines.
It all started as a simple idea. I
remember Fr Dom Nolan and Lourdes
de Guzman from the Mission Awareness
office asking if we would accept some
donations for a garage sale. They must
have heard that lay missionaries (LMs)
and staff used to have an auction during
their pre-Christmas party as a way of
raising money for projects. We were
reluctant at first. We would need many
items to mount a garage sale and much
preparation. It was unchartered territory.
But during a community meeting of LMs
in Luzon we decided, with much faith
and courage, to take the challenge.
The core group was composed of
Kyung-Ja Lee, a Korean LM, Mavic
H. Mercene of the LM Office and two
staff members at the LM house, Marifi
Saysay and Rose Eufre. Appeals for
donations were made through emails,
text messages and posters in Columban
Houses. The first items to arrive were the
donations of Lourdes de Guzman. Then
came Fr Dom’s collection of nearly 300
CDs! Donations from Columban Fathers
started to come in bags and boxes –
from more CDs to clothes, to books,
to suitcases. There was a suitcase that
clearly bore marks of the wear and tear
of constant travel. There were donations
from Columban Sisters, seminarians,
returned LMs, as well as from families
and friends. The level of excitement was
building up.
A week before the garage sale,
it was frantic at the LM house.
Billboards advertising the garage
see LAY MISSION, page 4
2
COLUMBAN MISSION Easter Season 2010

ORDINATION from page 1
about the big day. For some reason, I felt
both excited and sad looking forward to
my own eventual ordination.
We went to Bangar two days before
the ordination to prepare the liturgy,
which was something new for me. I had
previous experiences of ordinations but
this was my first time to be a server. I
was glad I was there.
When we arrived from Manila
it was early morning and we were
welcomed by Andrei’s family. It was
my first time to meet them but we
were treated like family. After a few
hours of rest we headed to the church
for the practice. We were each given
assignments and roles. I took care of
the candles together with Andy (Andrea
Ryu Sun-Jong from Korea). Memories
of my childhood sacristan days came
back, especially my initial desires to
be a priest, as we were walking down
the aisle during practice. While we
were busy practicing, there were many
people, young and old, bringing things
into the church, men repairing the
chairs, women decorating the aisle and
altar, and the choir singing beautifully,
having practiced through the night.
The Big Day finally came. I could
feel the excitement around me as
people started filling the church. The
Columbans, priests, seminarians and
lay missionaries, were everywhere
to give Andrei their support. I saw
familiar faces in the congregation. I
was especially happy to find Columban
seminarian Christopher Kaamiño, now
COLUMBAN MISSION Easter Season 2010
back in Taiwan, and Columban Fr Tom
Shaughnessy from Chicago, a former
formator here in the Philippines. It was
a joy to see everyone happy and excited
for Andrei.
Then the choir started singing. We
started walking. Columban seminarians
Charlie Ponferrada and Anthonio Seok
Jin-Wook were right in front of us,
silently counting every step. We were
‘floating on clouds’ as we went up the
aisle dressed in our white albs just like
when I was a child in my little white
sotana. But this time it was different.
When I was a child, I dreamed of
becoming a priest. But now I was taking
steps at making that dream come true.
The procession was quite long because
of the large number of Columbans and
local priests attending.
The liturgy, including most of the
hymns, was celebrated in Ilocano,
Andrei’s native language. Even if I
didn’t understand a word, I could more
or less follow the ceremony. There were
many wonderful, inspiring, perspiring,
beautiful, joyful moments for me.
Andrei walked towards the altar flanked
by his mother and father. In that instant
I thought to myself, ‘I wish my Tatay
could be there on my ordination day’,
a thought that made me miss him even
more since his accidental death last year.
I saw in both Andrei’s parents’ eyes their
joy and pride to see their son ordained
and I could imagine that their giving him
up must be also a sacrifice.
I will not forget that moment when
Andrei lay prostrate on the floor before
the altar in an act of total surrender of
his life to God. It was like everything
froze in time as the entire faithful sang
in unison and prayed the Litany of the
Saints. When the ordination rite was
done and the priests went to Andrei
one by one to welcome him into the
community of priests, it was very
impressive to see each priest embracing
him.
It is a tradition in the Philippines
that people come up to kiss the anointed
hands of the newly ordained priest and
to get his first blessing. (Editor’s note:
This is a universal practice.) As soon
as the ceremony was completed and
just before Father Andrei came down
from the altar, the people started lining
up. I was there beside him as he gladly
submitted to their requests. I could sense
the immensity and mixture of feelings
the new priest must have felt now that
the ordination was done and he started
out on the even greater things God had
planned for him.
My ordination is still years away.
But being there during Father Andrei’s
ordination made me think and reflect
about my own pilgrimage towards that
day when finally I will lay myself before
the Lord, offering my entire self in His
service with my Nanay beside me and
my Tatay watching over me. When that
day comes, I want you to be there. For
now pray for me and the rest of us who
are on the way towards that day. And
let’s also pray for Father Andrei and all
the Columban priests who continue to
‘walk as servants of the Lord that God’s
people may have life in its fullness’.
3

LAY MISSION from page 1
LAY MISSION from page 4
sale were displayed at three strategic
places including one right in front of
Immaculate Conception Cathedral of the
Diocese of Cubao, just up the road. The
Sunday before the big day, flyers were
distributed at the cathedral. Sorting out
and pricing the items took nearly four
days. As we were putting the items for
successive typhoons and flooding. There
was a massive appeal for donations for
the thousands of victims. We decided
to postpone the garage sale in deference
to the appeal for help for them and rescheduled
it for 13 March.
In January appeals for donations
were again sent through emails and
text messages. Posters were displayed
at Columban Houses. Donations began
moving boxes of clothes, books and
bags. Workers doing repairs at the LM
house also helped. Mavic’s husband,
children and niece were as reliable as
ever. Au Luceño took a break from her
studies to lend her support. And so did
Lani Tamatawale from Fiji.
Once again everyone gathered to
share in this meaningful endeavor –
Columban Fathers led by Regional
4
sale on display, we could hardly believe
how many we had collected.
Nearly four months after Fr Dom
and Lourdes first asked us the question,
the garage sale made its spectacular
opening. Neighbors whom we hardly
ever see came. Members of religious
congregations who live in the vicinity
also came. Columban Fathers, Sisters,
seminarians, returned LMs, family
and friends - they all came, not only to
support us but also to reconnect and to
simply enjoy the fun.
A few months later, the question
of another garage sale arose. We had
some leftover items and had already
experienced how generous donors are.
But last September Luzon was hit by
pouring in again. We started to clear
the LM house of extra furniture and
equipment. We thought we had only a few
items, until the afternoon of the garage
sale. The items included three big boxes
of children’s toys that were donated by
Audrey Gayle Sabado and her brother
Andrew Glen, the niece and nephew of
Beth Sabado (RP 12, Taiwan), all the way
from New Jersey!
The day before the garage sale
Irma Cantago (RP 2, Peru), who was
on vacation, and Marifi spent almost
the whole day baking cakes. Rowena
Caggauauan (RP 15, Fiji, formerly in
Pakistan) and her niece came to provide
extra help. The students at the Formation
House provided some extra muscle in
Director Fr Pat O’Donoghue, Columban
Sisters, returned LMs, seminarians, the
families of Filipino LMs, friends, and
neighbors.
As I look back at the experience I
realize that the activity was not simply
a fundraising initiative. The amount
collected might seem very small: about
P150,000.00 from the two sales. We
were not simply turning trash into cash.
What is most amazing is that it brought
people together. It is now not only a Lay
Mission project but has become a truly
Columban, neighborhood and family
affair! And for the spirit of solidarity
and friendship that the garage sale has
brought into the community, we are truly
grateful to God.
COLUMBAN MISSION Easter Season 2010

MA. CHONA VELASCO
She was active in the Legion of
Mary, and the Sodality of Our Lady.
Promoting Misyon was one commitment
she had chosen to support the work of
missionaries.
When Chona received her invitation
to the 2009 Annual Gathering, she
was not sure she could come. But she
asked her mother to attend for her.
Unfortunately, Mrs Velasco could not
come that day because that was when the
family celebrated the 40 th day after the
death of Chona on 29 October. She was
only 39. As we say in Ireland, ‘May her
soul be at the right hand of God’.
Chona on the right, with friends, Brother
Mike Velarde and Bo Sanchez.
Mrs Myrna Velasco, still in mourning
black, when she visited the Mission
office recently. She will continue to
support Columban Mission through
the Mite Box.
At the annual gathering of Columban
Partners in Mission (formerly Misyon
Promoters) held at the Remedios Jubilee
Center in Malate last 29 November Mass
celebrant Fr Hector Suano mentioned
in his homily and in the prayers of the
faithful the name ‘Chona Velasco’ and
asked us remember her in a special
way.
A Misyon Promoter since 1994,
Chona used to get a at least a dozen
copies of every issue of the magazine,
all in her name. She would take just
one for herself, and the rest she used
to give away to friends and relatives
to encourage them to get their own
subscriptions. She would always reserve
two copies to give to prisoners. If she
could not deliver the magazines herself,
she asked her mother, Mrs Myrna
Velasco, to do so.
Chona worked at PLDT’s Business
Solutions Department. She graduated
from Mapúa Institute of Technology
as an Industrial Engineer, and like her
mother, was an alumna of the grade
school and high school departments of
Paco Catholic School.
Golden Jubilee of Presentation Sisters in Philippines
This article is based on information sent
by Sr Mildred Soldevilla PBVM.
In June 1959 Fr John Doohan, the Columban parish priest
of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, made a novena to Our Lady
beseeching her to send Sisters to help administer Our Lady of Snows
High School there. Back in Ireland, at the same time the Presentation
Sisters in Kilkenny were making the final decisions for their mission
foundation in the Philippines. Four Sisters, Srs Baptist Kearns
(Superior), Carmel Claxton, Annunciata Hayes and Regina Keyes,
were chosen as the pioneers for the Mission. Negros was their chosen
island. You can imagine Father John’s delight when he heard of the
Presentation Sisters’ decision.
The Sisters travelled on the MS Hamburg from Southampton,
England, to Manila and arrived on 14 February 1960 after a voyage of
31 days. Fr John Doohan was there to meet them as were Columban
Sisters Malachy and Clement. The Columban Sisters hosted the
newcomers till they flew to Bacolod on 19 February. Fr Patrick
Hurley, the Columban superior in Negros, and Fr Terence Bennett,
assistant priest in Himamaylan, welcomed them to the island and
see FR CURRY, page 8see PRESENTATION SISTERS, page 8
COLUMBAN MISSION Easter Season 2010
5

During school year 2009-2010 we
started new journeys. Some took
a different road; for most it
was a challenging and formative year,
challenging, as we were becoming more
diverse and bigger in number. There were
more of us to rub against each other like
stones, smoothing our rough edges and
hopefully making us better persons.
Felipe (Miarayon, Bukidnon) left
in the middle of the year while Etuate
Tubuka (Suva, Fiji), ending his Spiritual
Year, went back to Fiji in December to
begin his theological studies at the Pacific
Regional Seminary in Suva. Etu’s mother
died recently. We remember him and his
family in our prayers. Ruben Lobo (Subic,
Zambales) went to Chicago in September
to begin his studies at the Catholic
Theological Union, which finish in May.
He will continue his studies in Manila in
June. I began studying theology at Loyola
School of Theology in Ateneo de Manila
University, trying my best while ‘kneeling
Bits and Pieces
By Kurt Pala
down’, as Fr Michael Mohally wisely
advised me.
Charlie Ponferrada (Balingasag, Mis
Or) graduated on 27 March after two years
of philosophy at Christ the King Seminary.
Three others were in first year at the same
school: Michael Buctot (Tangub City),
Erl Tabaco and Louie Ybañez (both from
Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City).
The Spiritual Year students, Eldie
(Davao City), Paul (Tigaon, Camarines
Sur), Emman (Pulupandan, Neg Occ),
Reynante (Midsalip, Zamboanga del
Sur), Antonio (Daegu, Korea) and
Andy (Kwang-ju, Korea) had their 30-
Day Retreat at Sacred Heart Novitiate,
Novaliches, Quezon City, completed their
5-day pilgrimage in March, one group to
Manaoag, La Union, another to Lucban,
Quezon, followed by a retreat in Sacred
Heart Novitiate under Fr Seán Coyle from
22 to 26 March, to end this special year
of formation.
Besides regular activities such as
academics, modular classes and spiritual
direction, there were three important
events: our first team-building outing to
Caliraya, Quezon, Andrei’s ordination in
Bangar, La Union, and our first celebration
of the Lunar New Year. The Caliraya
outing was intended to build relationships
in the community through physical team
activities. There were physically and
mentally challenging games that required
muscle and mental power but were also
full of fun and laughter.
Andrei’s ordination was something
the group looked forward to, a chance
to get out of the house and explore. All
of us were given roles in the ordination
ceremony. Many of us were altar servers.
That was one memorable day for everyone,
getting an initial experience of what our
own ordination day would feel and look
like.
With the initiative and preparation of
Anthonio and Andrea, we celebrated our
first Lunar New Year in the house, our first
time to witness how Koreans celebrate it.
What I found interesting was how they
give so much reverence to their ancestors.
The array of food on a table in front of the
altar reminded me of what we Filipinos
also do as offerings to our dead relatives.
It was a celebration of Korean food, drinks
and culture.
In June, a number of them will join
my ‘struggle’ and enjoy doing theology
at Loyola School of Theology namely:
Charlie, Ruben, Eldie, Anthonio and
Andrea. Emman, Paul and Reynante
will begin their stint at Christ the King
Seminary. We are also expecting three new
students this coming May: Jeros Amparo
(Unisan, Quezon), Arnel Omandam
(Ozamis City) and Junnile Ortega (Sagay,
Negros Occ).
As we continue to strive to become
more and more ‘Christi simus non nostri’
– ‘Let us be of Christ, not of ourselves’
each day, we also keep in mind that we
are pilgrims on the road. St Columban,
pray for us!
VOCATION DIRECTOR
from page 2
to other outreach programs and busy
themselves with other school works.
Our work as promoters is not
necessarily for the Columbans only but
to lead young people in their search for
their vocation. It is to encourage the
youth to think of themselves as future
servants.
I certainly believe that the
Columbans came to the Philippines
in 1929 to be part of the Church’s
mission. Until now we are still making
an impact. I just hope that we will have
more Columbans to cry and laugh with
us, to assume the responsibilities that
God has given us. Serving as priests is
to have joy in our living. We continue
to pray for more vocations from young
people and for support in many ways.
In big cities like Cebu, Davao,
Tagum, there are many vocation The best thing as a vocation director
promoters. The ‘competition’ in is that I learn to entrust everything to
vocation promotion is real. Attending God. It is God who calls us. But through
events such as vocation jamborees us, young people will see that there are
entails much work and preparation for alternative choices for life. He is the
which we don’t have the manpower. God who cares, the God who gives us
grace.
6 COLUMBAN MISSION Easter 2009

Korean New Year
By Seon Jin-Wook, Anthonio
A Korean Columban seminarian
describes his first Korean New Year
in the Philippines. The term ‘Lunar
New Year’ is often used to cover
the New Years of the Koreans,
Chinese, Mongolians, Tibetans and
Vietnamese, which nearly always
coincide.
February 14 was Lunar New Year’s Day,
one of the most important holidays in Korea,
when almost half the population travel,
enduring terrible traffic jams, for family
gatherings. We prepare fresh foods and have
a ritual to honor our ancestors. After that we
bow to our family elders who in turn wish us
well and give us a small amount of money.
This is the best moment for children.
We celebrated the day with Mass in
the Columban formation house. About 30
people, Columban Fathers, Sisters and
lay missionaries, joined. We had a ritual
during the offertory. Rya
Sun-Jong (Andrea) and I
prepared some foods on
a table before the altar.
We asked those present
to write their ancestors’
names on paper to offer
as a tribute with incense,
each person bowing
twice.
After Mass, Sun-
Jong and I with the
other Koreans bowed
to the priests, wishing
them good health and
blessings for the New
Year. They gave us gifts of money, which we
did not expect. This was the best moment of
the day for me.
It was my first time to celebrate the
Lunar New Year abroad. It was also my first
time to prepare all the foods and have a ritual
by myself, wearing our traditional costume,
which I had not worn since I was small.
Before I left Korea, I did not think that the
next New Year’s Day would be so important
to me. It was special to me in Korea because
I was given some money.
However, the day became very special
for me here in the Philippines. I was
impressed seeing Koreans, Filipinos, Fijians
and Irish people doing a ritual during Mass
in the Korean way, with a common purpose.
I felt that it was really what God wanted
us to do and what we should be doing
as missionaries. We were from different
countries and cultures but were gathered
together in the name of Jesus Christ. Even
though I was away from my family and
friends, so were the others from theirs. But
they are now family and friends to me. Lunar
New Year’s Day was not only the beginning
of the year, but also the beginning of my
being a missionary.
Gloria Monsanto
Annie Dona
Sister Prose with Belen Granaderos
Sponsors
in
Lanao
del Norte
Sister Prose with employees of Maigo Rural
Bank, Lanao del Norte
COLUMBAN MISSION Easter 2009
Sister Prose with employees of First Valley Bank,
Baroy, Lanao del Norte.
7

PRESENTATION SISTERS from page 5
brought them to visit Bishop
Manuel Yap of Bacolod. At that
time Himamaylan was part of the
Diocese of Bacolod but is now in
the Diocese of Kabankalan.
The Sisters’ home for ten
months was that of Mr Jose Vallota
who, with his family, vacated their
house until the Sisters’ convent
was finished.
Fifty years later the Sisters
celebrated the Golden Jubilee
of their arrival in the Philippines.
Now they are also in Binalbagan,
Diocese of Kabankalan, Bacolod
City and Cebu City, where they have
their Regional House and novitiate.
The celebrations started
on 15 February and ended on
the 19 th with Mass celebrated in
Himamaylan’s parish church of Our
Lady of Snows by Bishop Patrick A
Buzon SDB of Kabankalan, Bishop
Vicente M. Navarra of Bacolod and
first bishop of Kabankalan, and
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, auxiliary
bishop of the Archdiocese of Jaro.
Among the concelebrants were Fr
Patrick Hurley, who had welcomed
the original group, Fr Patrick
O’Donoghue, Regional Director
of the Columbans, Fr Michael
McGuire, Vice-Director, and Fr
Brian Gore, along with some
Redemptorists and diocesan
priests. (Since 2000 the Sisters
have been in charge of Scala
Retreat House, Bacolod City,
owned by the Redemptorists).
We hope to have an article
on the history of the Presentation
Sisters in the Philippines in www.
misyononoline.com
PUBLISHER:
Fr Patrick O’Donoghue
Regional Director
Editor:
Fr Seán Coyle
Assistant Editor:
Anabelle Gubuan
Editorial Assistant:
Mary Joy Rile
Contributing Editor:
Lourdes de Guzman
Mission Awareness Coordinator:
Father Richard Pankratz
Office Manager:
Father Dominic Nolan
If undelivered return to:
Mission Office
PO Box EA 443
Ermita
1000 MANILA
Tel: (02) 523 7232
PLEASE DELIVER TO: